Music Theory Basics for Ableton Electronic Music Production

Name: Music Theory Basics for Ableton Electronic Music Production
Rating: 4.4 (102 reviews)

Upgrade your tracks with deeper insights about music composition including harmony, bass lines and beats using Push 2.

Created byMusic Chef

Last updated 12/2017

English

What you'll learn

Clearly understand electronic music in terms of harmony, melody and rhythm
Build basic beats for House, Garage and 2-Step
Learn to count beats and program beats using established rhythmic definitions
Work hands on building harmony, melody, beats and bass lines on the Push 2
Understand all major and minor keys, arpeggios, triads and 7th chords
Write motives and make better melodic choices using chord tones
Walkthrough the process of composing, recording and exporting a well-structured track

Course content

7 sections • 66 lectures • 2h 53m total length

Introduction0:43
Learn about my bearings in electronic music and subtractive synthesis.

What is Pitch?2:38
Learn to identify the constituent notes in the chromatic scale and the importance of both note names and hertz (Hz) pitch identities.
Enharmonic Equivalents1:02
Here, I explain note identities as sharps and flats - even how one pitch can have 2 names!
Hands On (w/Keyboard): Pitches and Enharmonics0:31
A simple and brief demonstration of pitches and enharmonic equivalents on a keyboard.
Double Sharps/Double Flats2:49
Double sharps/flats are uncommon, but do occur. Here, I confirm their existence and provide rules for understanding when they occur.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Chromatic Scale0:52
In our first hands-on Push 2 demo, you'll see how the chromatic scale is accessed.
Accidentals Explained1:37
Learn about specific accidentals that can be used to add tension and interest in your melodies and bass lines.
What is a Half Step?0:57
This lecture introduces the first of many intervals that we'll be discussing. The half-step provides the most basic interval you need to understand.
What is a Whole Step?1:09
Quick explanation of a whole step (a crucial building block for scales).
What are Intervals?3:20
Expanding your understanding to include all 12 intervals will empower you to begin understanding music on a whole other level because intervals are universal to ALL keys.
Why are Intervals SO Important?1:52
Now that you are familiar with the 12 intervals, I explain how and why intervals function in music theory to accelerate our music-making process.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Intervals1:18
Learn how to use chromatic (as opposed to "In-Key") mode on the Push to play intervals.
Major Scale Formula2:39
Dive deep into the most common method for building all 12 major scales (using 1 simple formula).
Major Scale Homework1:13
Develop fluency with the major scale by using my cheat sheet and practice method.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Major Scale1:54
Learn how to use pad colors and the "In-Key" mode to make playing the major scale on Push 2 super-easy.
Using the Major Scale in the Real World8:09
Learn more about how to play music on the Push 2 by relying on the "In Key" feature. This lesson provides further explanation and demonstration of using the major scale to play music on Push 2.
Using Patterns to Play Music on Push 27:27
Scales and chords are represented on Push 2 in repeating patterns. This lecture expands on our practical application of the major scale by exploring these patterns in more depth. I'll also demonstrate the essential principles for improvising music on Push 2 using patterns and chord tones.
Major Triads Explained1:41
Learn how major triads (a.k.a. major chords) are built from the major scale. In a couple of minutes, you'll understand how ALL major chords are built.
Major 7ths Explained1:12
While triads (from the last lecture) are the most fundamental chords, 7ths are common and very important. Learn about the relationship between triads and 7ths in this lesson.
Hands On (w/Keyboard): Major and Minor Harmony4:40
See how major and minor chords are played on a traditional keyboard. This lecture goes in-depth on every major and minor triad.
Hands On (w/Keyboard): Major Arpeggios0:35
Major chords and arpeggios are closely related. Find out how simple arpeggios really are!
Hands On (w/Push 2): Major and Minor Harmony1:33
Minor Scale Formula0:53
Develop a clear understanding of how minor scales are built from half steps and whole steps. This technique will quickly reveal all 12 minor scales.
Minor Scale Homework2:16
Learn a handy tip for extrapolating minor scales directly from major scales. This makes it easier to memorize and identify all 12 major scales AND minor scales.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Minor Scale0:50
Here, I demonstrate playing a minor scale on the Push 2.
Minor Triads and 7ths Explained2:00
Learn how minor triads have similar elements to major triads. Understanding how they're built will make mastering minor chords much easier.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Minor Harmony1:16
I'll explain how minor chords are played correctly on the Push 2.
Key Signatures2:38
Learn how to understand keys and key signatures.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Key Signatures1:34
Watch a hands-on demonstration of setting a key signature on Push 2.
Quiz #1: Music Theory Essentials

Beats and Measures2:38
Develop a clear understanding of beats and bars, so that you can create and work with rhythm in an optimized way.
Repeats and Rests2:02
Learn that repeats and rests are also important elements of rhythm (and learn to read them correctly).
Hands On (w/Push 2): Beats and Measures1:36
Watch me demo beats and measures on the Push2 - the crucial foundation for programming beats quickly and accurately!
Duple vs. Triple1:44
Learn about subdividing beats - the bedrock for more interesting rhythms.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Triplets4:36
Triplets can be tricky on Push 2, but this demo makes it easy to see and understand.
Tempo Explained1:54
Rhythm and tempo are closely related, but learn how they are different so that your rhythms can match sub-genres more accurately.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Setting a Tempo1:29
A simple demo of adjusting tempo (tapped, coarse and fine) from Push 2.
Downbeats and Upbeats1:27
Learn how recreating stylistic beats requires a clear understand of the subdivided beat. This is a prerequisite for the following beat-making lessons.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Making a Back Beat1:55
Learn how to program a basic back beat from this clear, hands-on demo on Push 2.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Making a House Beat2:53
Learn how to program a characteristic house beat from this clear, hands-on demo on Push 2. Discover the important influence of choke groups.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Making a Garage Beat4:17
Learn how to program a characteristic garage beat from this clear, hands-on demo on Push 2. Discover this style's characteristic tempo and syncopated elements.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Making a 2-Step Beat2:43
Learn how to program a characteristic 2-step beat from this hands-on demo on Push 2. Learn how 2-step uses a back beat and departs from house and garage.
Quiz #2: Mastering Rhythm Essentials

Chord Theory in Composition2:08
Develop a methodology for structuring your tracks using major and minor qualities.
Chord Tone Melodies1:31
Learn how to make much more memorable melodies in your tracks.
Melody Theory1:36
Now, you can discover the best way to convey emotion using melodic contour.
HandsOn (w/Push 2): Motives and Countermotives3:35
Learn what a motive is and how to create a great motive tailored to any chord progression within your tracks.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Live Loops vs. Sequenced Loops4:12
Watch a simple demo of recording and/or sequencing (quantized) melodic loops from Push 2. Accelerate your composition with fixed lengths.
Song Structure (Even Without Lyrics)1:56
Develop better tracks by porting familiar song structures to your electronic compositions.
Reverb Tips for a Better Mix2:58
Set your tracks apart by using reverbs intelligently - rise above the presets!
EQ Tips for a Better Mix3:26
Let me share my tips for using EQ to optimize your bass, add body, ensure clarity and keep your highs articulate and sharp!
Hands On (w/Push 2): FX3:55
Find out how you can load and apply EQ and reverb to position your instruments in space and the frequency spectrum using Push 2. I'll demo using HPF, LPF and band pass filters.
Quiz #3: Composition and Production Essentials

Hands On (w/Push 2): Playing in Key1:02
Quickly see how you can setup your Push 2 to guarantee all notes/chords are played within a single key.
Harmonic Analysis with Roman Numerals3:23
Expand your understanding of harmony by learning to translate named chords into Roman Numerals. This lesson also illuminates some of the world's favorite chord progressions!
Voice Leading and Chord Extensions2:55
Learn concrete steps that will help you optimize your melodies and harmony so that they sound as compelling as possible.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Common Chord Progressions3:08
Review the world's favorite chord progressions on the Push 2.
Better Bass Lines in 3 Steps3:06
Follow 3 simple steps to guarantee better bass lines every time!
Hands On (w/Push 2): Chord Tone Bass Lines4:55
Watch a hands on lesson building a bass line using the bass line principles we've discussed.
Quiz #4: Extra Concepts and Applications

Hands On (w/Push 2): Selecting Instruments1:22
Push 2 performance always require instrument selections, so here I demo that process in a couple of simple steps.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Keys and Beats2:02
Watch a simple demo of setting the key and stylistic beat for a new demo track.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Recording Harmony3:47
Watch a demo a vi-IV-I-V harmonic progression and learn how to use color coding on the Push 2 pads to optimize your workflow.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Composing and Recording Melody3:00
See how you can use what you've learned about motives, chord tones, triads and repetitive rhythms to write and record a great melody.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Building a Track in Session View11:13
Learn how to use the Push 2 to develop 5 distinct sections of a demo track. We'll use Ableton's scenes feature in session view and Push 2's copy and paste clip capabilities.
Hands On (w/Push 2): Method for Using Reverb and EQ6:48
Review and apply what we've discussed about (1) using reverb to "place" instruments in a "space" and (2) using EQ to sculpt the specific ranges that instruments occupy in the frequency spectrum.

Hands On (w/Ableton and Push 2): Live Mix and Export3:28
Learn how to perform your track live using arrangement view in conjunction with Push 2.
What to Practice: Scales & Triads3:41
Get tips on the best ways to learn and memorize scales and triads. I'll discuss a variety of very helpful patterns in music theory that can accelerate your memorization.
Share Your Tracks!0:35
I invite you to share your tracks with me (and possibly other students, if you're willing?)
Next Steps...3:33
Get a ideas for a roadmap as you build upon what you've learned in this course.

Requirements

Students should *ideally* have access to Ableton Live (any version)
Students should be curious about how music theory works

Description

Gain creative confidence and have fun! Learn to use the undeniable power of music theory to make better electronic music. This course is compact and covers every single music theory fundamental in existence. Plus, it has been designed for electronic musicians instead of academic music majors. Don't be fooled - it doesn't take 12 hours of video lectures to learn how to build and use a major scale. This class presents no-fuss, bite-sized videos that explain AND demonstrate each topic very clearly. Plus, electronic music with Ableton and Push 2 is so "hands on" that you need lots and lots of hands-on demos - exactly what this course offers.

Learn the Language of Music Theory
Developing confidence with music theory (and using it in your electronic music) starts with a firm grasp of the fundamentals. You'll quickly learn about major and minor scales, triads and intervals. If you don't know what those are, you're making electronic music harder than it needs to be. Scales, triads and intervals are the alphabet of the musical language and its hard to do much without them. So, you'll find this course is packed with condensed lessons that explain everything from half steps and whole steps to common intervals (the basis for creativity with scales and chords). Music theory is a wide, wonderful world and you'll need to know the language if you want to succeed.

Unfold Both Major and Minor Scales and Chords
Since this curriculum is intended to help electronic musicians who use Ableton and Push 2, most of the demonstrations and walkthroughs are presented directly in Ableton and/or on Push 2. This means that learning music theory like major or minor scales and chords is different. You'll learn the concepts in a way that makes more sense with Ableton and Push 2. There are definitely useful aspects of traditional music theory which is why *some* lessons ALSO demonstrate triads, intervals and scales on a traditional keyboard (Novation LaunchKey 49), so you'll see how music theory is based on piano.

Making Beats the Right Way
There is way more to this course, once you get past the essentials. You'll learn how to master rhythm, discover melody-writing tools and strategies, production tips for reverb and EQ and even using roman numerals to understand chord progressions. Plus, most of the terms, concepts and formulas that you'll be learning are shown in hands-on demonstrations to help you get up and running much, much faster. Most demonstrations are in Ableton Live and/or on Push 2. You'll not only get a complete introduction to concepts such as beats, rests, repeats, measures and tempo. But, you'll actually USE what you learn to make beats for House, UK Garage and 2-Step (3 super-important electronic music styles).

Discover the Recipe for Great Melodies
Once we've armed you with the language of music theory, chords progressions and some decent beats, you'll discover what makes a great melody. Great electronic music needs a hook... and the hook needs to be simple, but catchy. You'll discover that you can make a great melody every time, using the power of chord tones. You'll see and hear examples of melodic phrases that are built from music theory concepts called motives. You'll also learn to write a solid bass line, using the same recipe. No matter what you do, you're electronic music will fall flat if it lacks a solid bass line and a catchy melody. So, this course has you covered - chords, beats, melodies and more. Plus, everything is visually presented in hands-on demonstrations using Ableton and Push 2.

Tips, Tricks and Project Production
This course is designed from the ground up as series of live demonstrations on Ableton and Push 2. Electronic music uses non-traditional instruments (like synthesizers and FX) which is why the final project walkthrough includes looping, Ableton scenes, reverb and EQ lessons. Everything is presented in Ableton and/or Push 2, so you'll know exactly what to do once you're back with your gear, making music. As the curriculum wraps up, you'll watch a walkthrough that uses music theory to craft an original, complete (if basic) electronic music track. Everything is done using Ableton and Push 2 and you'll understand everything that goes into the chords, melody, beat, bass line and FX.

Move Beyond the Loop
As an electronic musician, you want to express yourself, right? There is no doubt that music theory will greatly expand your creative choices. Once you understand the music theory explanations in this class, you'll be free to move beyond the loop. It can be frustrating hacking loops together and hoping for the best. Most electronic musicians would rather make their own, totally authentic, electronic music from scratch.

You may already know a bit of music theory and his course will help you fill in the gaps with tried-and-true music composition theory principles and methods. Every essential topic is covered here in one united, organized series of video lessons. All topics are presented in Ableton, so it will make sense to Ableton and Push users. The lessons are organized to make learning music theory fun, easy and immediately useful!

This course is filmed in extremely high definition 4K HD and streams in crystal-clear 1080p HD (where available). Throughout this course topics are demonstrated in hands on video lessons on Novation LaunchKey 49, Push 2 and Ableton Live 9 Suite. Each video demonstration has crisp image quality so that you can see exactly what is happening, learn faster and use the lessons in your own music, with your own gear.

Once you've completed this course, you'll have the tools to write original chord progressions (harmony), melodies, bass lines and beats! You'll have the knowledge to maximize your creativity and make better electronic music. Each section of this course features a quiz, so you can evaluate your skills as you go. As you're instructor, I'm always available on the discussion board to help and answer questions. You can also message me directly if you have questions you'd like answers to. Don't waste anymore time relying on loops and hoping for the best. Enroll in this course and you'll be hours away from gaining the creative confidence to make better electronic music using Ableton and Push 2!

Who this course is for:

Ableton users who want an education in music theory fundamentals
Electronic musicians who want to make their own well-structured compositions
Electronic Musicians who need focused lessons aimed at learning quickly

Music Theory Basics for Ableton Electronic Music Production

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 1min

Learning the Language - Music Theory Terminology28 lectures • 1hr 1min

Making Beats the Right Way12 lectures • 29min

Composition and Production Essentials9 lectures • 25min

Extra Concepts and Applications6 lectures • 18min

Final Project - Putting It All Together6 lectures • 28min

Conclusion4 lectures • 11min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: